On average solar PV system prices dropped for the month of December 2015 were lower across all capital cities for all system sizes than those from November 2015. The drop was due at least in part to a new calculation method: The ‘Solar Choice discount’ offered by installers in the Solar Choice network – hitherto excluded from calculations in our monthly PV Price Index articles – has been kept in, thus more accurately reflecting the retail price of solar PV systems on offer in Solar Choice’s Solar Quote Comparisions.
Average solar PV system prices for December 2015
All prices in the table below include the federal STC incentive which installers ordinarily include in final system prices. GST is also included.
Solar system prices for December: $/W averages, highs & lows
About STCs
STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 79c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 67c/W for Melbourne & Tasmania.
Components used
The table below contains the brands of inverters and solar modules used in installations as listed by installers. ‘Premium’ product offerings are not included.
| City | Panel brands used | Inverter brands used |
| Adelaide, SA | BenQ, Canadian, JA Solar, Jinko, Hanwha Q-Cells, Renasola, Simax, [Own-brand], Yingli | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Growatt, SMA, SolarMax, Sungrow, Surpass, ZeverSolar |
| Brisbane, QLD | Australia Premium Solar, Canadian, CSun, LG, Luxen, Hanwha Q-Cells, ReneSola, Risen, Suntech, TopSola, Trina | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Eltek, JFY, REA, Schneider, SMA, Sungrow, ZeverSolar |
| Canberra, ACT | ABB/Power-One, Hanwha Q-Cells, Jinko, Opal, [Own-brand], Trina, Yingli | ABB/Power-One, Delta, ZeverSolar, JFY |
| Melbourne, VIC | BLD, Canadian Solar, Hanwha Q-Cells, ReneSola, SolarWorld, [Own-brand] | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Delta, JFY, SMA, Sungrow, ZeverSolar |
| Tasmania | REC, [Own-brand] | Fronius, SMA, Sungrow |
| Sydney, NSW | Canadian, CSun, Hanwha Q-Cells, Jinko, LG, Opal, [Own-brand], TopSola, Yingli | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Growatt, Samil, SMA, Sungrow, ZeverSolar |
| Perth, WA | Daqo, ET, GY, TN | ABB/Power-One, Delta, Goodwe, SMA, Sungrow |
Historic solar PV system prices (since August 2012)
All $/W solar system prices (Historic)
The chart below provides an at-a-glance look at solar PV system pricing trends since August 2012. Data points are the average of average $/W for each system size (1.5kW-5kW until Nov 2013, then also including 10kW from Dec 2013).
About this data
Tables and charts included in this article were compiled using data from Solar Choice’s installer network database, which contains regularly-updated pricing and product details from over 100 solar installation companies across Australia. Prices do not ordinarily incorporate meter installation fees or additional costs for difficult installations. The discount available to Solar Choice customers is also excluded from calculations, as are prices for ‘premium’ installer offerings. Except in the final chart, average pricing figures for all of Australia are not weighted.
© 2015 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
